Weekend in Washington

Last Friday, my Human Rights and Modern Day Slavery class headed to Washington DC to visit two anti-trafficking NGOs. We left campus bright and early, to make it to DC by 10am. Right as I woke up from my nap, I saw the gorgeous view of the Washing Monument. DC has always been my favorite city. I love the history, architecture, museums, and the politics and cannot wait to live there one day! 

The first stop on our was Polaris. Not only does Polaris run the Human Trafficking Hotline, but they also have recently put together a database of anti-trafficking NGOs, safe houses, and places for therapy all around the world. It was so exciting to learn about an organization that is working towards ending an issue that I have become so passionate about. Going to Polaris has opened my eyes to opportunitites that I might not have encountered if I had not taken this class.

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After visiting Polaris, we headed to Alexandria for lunch and to visit NCMEC. A few friends in the class and I stopped at the Bittersweet Cafe for lunch! It was absolutely adorable and such a cute local stop. I grabbed a delicious sandwich and a giant Arnold Palmer. 

Arlington is absolutely gorgeous! Wandering the streets during our quick lunch break was so much fun and a great way to relax in between two very intense information sessions. We even were even able to pop into a cute, local thrift shop! I bought the most ridiculous ugly sweater. I cannot wait to break it out this Christmas!

After our lunch break, we headed over to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They gave us a tour of their main facility, explaining the purpose and workings of each division. We were even able to get a first hand look at the Forensic Services Unit! As someone who is really passionate about forensics, it was so cool. I was able to speak with a few of the employees about possible internships for this summer! 

Love, 

Weekend Wishlist

Top: Left // Middle // Right

Bottom: Left // Middle // Right 

When November rolls around, I immediately start planning out my Christmas List. Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday! I am obsess with all of the decoration and the happiness and cheer that come with them. Not to mention, Starbucks just started using their red cups and the peppermint mocha is not available which happens to be my absolute favorite winter drink. Even though I still have about a month to perfect my Christmas List, here are a few things that I have my eye on so far! 

I have always bought cheap watches that break really quickly, so I think this year I want to invest in a nicer one. I love the sleek look of the Gramercy Mini from Kate Spade. It is not too big, but still looks classy. The Lorac Pro To Go palette is to die for! The eyeshadows are beautiful colors and are perfect for the neutral look that I wear on a daily basis. I also love that it comes with two blushes and a bronzer. The perfect palette to travel with! 

What is on your Christmas List this year?

Love, 

Fashion Friday: A Casual Winter

Top: Old Navy // Bottoms: J. Crew // Vest: Patagonia // Boots: L.L. Bean // Socks: SmartWool // Earrings: Tory Burch

When it comes to the colder months of Fall and Winter  I absolutely live in comfortable, warm clothes. I have to admit that most of my flannels have come as hand me downs from my older brother's closet!  I received a pair of Bean Boots last year for Christmas and I am absolutely obsessed with them. They keep your feet nice and warm and I think that they actually look pretty cute. 

While I am trying to definitely dress it up more this Winter with some cords and sweater dresses, I will definitely count on leggings and flannels for the lazy days. For an outfit so comfortable, you somehow still look put together.

Love, 

Fashion Friday: Hinge Clothing

Hinge® takes its inspiration from vintage styles and interprets them into current silhouettes. Wardrobe-building basics are given a fresh spin with subtle details, making them a perfect pair with trend-right pieces. Styles are fun, feminine and free-spirited.

Every time my mom comes to Richmond, we make sure to make a trip to Nordstrom at the Short Pump Towne Center. Especially because we don't have one in Charleston, it is our absolute favorite place. During move in and parents weekend, we happened to find a few things that my mom would give me for my birthday.

Because I was unable to go home for parents weekend, I decided to skip out this weekend. I cannot tell you how relaxing it is to have a weekend at home. More on my version of "Halloweekend" to come later this week. 

While opening my birthday presents, I happened to realize that the two pieces I picked out from Nordstrom were both from the designer Hinge. I decided to look them up and absolutely adore so many of their pieces. 

What are your favorite, unknown brands?

Love,

My Own L.A. Story

Over Fall Break, I had the change to travel to Los Angeles with my Modern Day Slavery class. It was such an incredible experience, and I have so much to write about it but I'll try to keep it simple. The first day, we had a free day and were able to head to Santa Monica. We dipped our toes in the Atlantic Ocean, went shopping at the Third Street Promenade, and ate dinner at the end of the Santa Monica Pier. I was even able to go to lunch in Malibu with one of my best guy friends from High School! 

Over the next two days, we really delved into our study of Human Trafficking. Tuesday morning we went to the Museum of Tolerance which focuses on genocide around the world especially from the Holocaust. That afternoon we met with Ima Matul and Maria Suarez. They're stories are absolutely incredible and most definitely life changing. That night we got to wander down Hollywood Boulevard looking at the Star Walk and the Chinese Theater.

Wednesday morning we had free time to walk around downtown Los Angeles. After eating lunch at the top of the court building, we took a tour of the LAPD and had the chance to speak with the Human Trafficking Task Force. 

Going to Los Angeles, was one of the best life experiences I've had so far. It really reinforced my desire to pursue a career in Forensic Science and to work in the Justice System. 

Love, 

I'm Twenty!

On Friday I turned twenty! It is so crazy to think that I am no longer a teenager. I definitely still feel like a kid at heart!

At noon, I had a big organic chemistry test so my Thursday night and Friday morning were spent in the library studying like crazy. After my test, I met up with my friends for lunch in the dining hall to finally start celebrating. That afternoon, a friend and I went to get a manicure and then we all got ready to go out to dinner. Because we were going to a fraternity social that night, we had a super early but delicious dinner at The Daily in Richmond. After dinner, we all got all dressed up and headed to the social! It was absolutely so much fun. All of my friends including my big were there so they made it a really special night. 

This weekend I am heading home to take a relaxing weekend off. I can't wait to continue to celebrate my birthday with my parents and a few of my best friends. 

Love, 

Fashion Friday: Black and White

Necklace: Etsy // Sweater: Rag and Bone, Cotton On, Forever 21 // Loafers: C. Wonder // Skirt: J. Crew Factory // Dress: J. Crew Factory

This fall, I am absolutely loving black and white together. I am usually someone who wears a lot of color, but recently I have been gravitating towards more neutral colors. 
What are your favorite black and white pieces for the fall?

Love,

Weekend in Maryland

Last weekend, I took the train up to DC to visit my brother for his fraternity's parent's weekend. Even though I had just seem my parents the weekend before for my parent's weekend, it was absolutely amazing to have my whole family back together even just for a short weekend. 

Friday night my parent's picked me up at Union Station and we took the Metro out to College Park to meet my brother and eventually my aunt and uncle who happen to live 20 minutes outside of D.C. 

Saturday morning after breakfast, my mom and I headed out to TJMaxx to do a little shopping. TJMaxx is out absolute favorite store, so we always have to stop by when there's one near. I ended up finding a pair of olive green pants that I had been searching for for a while and a pair of Steve Madden mid size boots that ended up being part of my birthday present. 

After our shopping trip, we then went over to the Sigma Chi Fraternity House to meet up with my brother for the afternoon barbecue and corn hole tournament. It was so much fun to get to meet some of my brother's friends while spending time with my family! The President and a couple of Alumni made speeches and then my dad and brother ended up winning the corn hole tournament. After the barbecue we headed back to the hotel to hang out before dinner. 

Sunday morning I took the train back to Richmond to get back into the swing of homework, papers, and my sorority chapter meeting. It was such a relaxing weekend and I loved being able to spend time with the fam. I cannot wait until Thanksgiving and Christmas when we'll have lots of time together!

This weekend I am headed to Los Angeles for my Fall Break. It's through my Modern Day Slavery class, so were going to the Museum of Tolerance, a home for women who have been rescued, and even the LAPD. Hopefully, I'll be able to write about that post a little quicker than this one! 

What have y'all been up to?

Love, 

Instagram Lately

I am currently writing you on a train to DC to visit my brother for his Fraternity Parent’s weekend! The past two weeks have been worse than hectic so I am so happy to have a relaxing weekend away from school and all of the stress that comes with it. 

Heres a recap of the past two weeks from my instagram! Follow me for more fun! 

For my Human Rights and Modern Day Slavery class we took a day trip one Saturday morning to walk the Richmond slave trail. It about a two mile walk through the woods and along the river and then through the city passing old auction houses and churches. It was a really cool experience and made me realize that I need to travel off campus more often.

One weekend, a fraternity here had an America themed party, so of course I had to dress up in my Red, White, and Blue and don some red lips!

Because I am on Honor Council, I get to help set up and run Proclamation Day which is when the Freshman officially sign the honor code and write letters to themselves to open on four years later as seniors. Being a sophomore, it was really cool to be able to watch both the freshman and the seniors experience a day so significant to Westhampton College! 

Every year the sophomore pledge classes from each sorority and fraternity compete in Pi Phi’s Lip Sync competition to raise money for their philanthropy Read, Lead, Achieve. This year, the theme was Dance Dance Evolution so we chose Rihana! After working tirelessly for two weeks to learn the choreography, we ended up winning the competition! It was the first time a sorority has ever won so it was super exciting to know that all our hard work paid off!

Last weekend was my parent’s weekend! It was so nice to have my parents here. My mom and I went shopping, ate delicious food off campus, and attended multiple tailgates. Because we rush in the Spring, my parents were finally able to meet some of my friends in my pledge class as well as my big! 

Love, 

Fall Fashion Trends: Pants

The fall weather did not last long here in Richmond. It ended up being 82 yesterday! I'm hoping that next week it'll cool down again and I'll be able to break out my jeans and sweaters. For now, here are some fall pant looks that I have been loving! Can we talk about how amazing those cheetah pants are? If only I could pull those off!

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Love, 

Fall Fashion Trends: Skirts

Its the first day of Fall here in Richmond and let me tell you, the cold was quite a shock. I walked out of my room in a dress and sandals and quickly ran back inside to put on my boots and a cozy sweater! Here are a few of my favorite bloggers outfits that I've been obsessing over lately. I've always loved the layered look and I think it is definitely on trend this fall season paired with skirts. I may have to recreate a few of these gems. Be sure to check back tomorrow for my favorite fall pant looks!

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Love, 

Fashion Friday: Fall Classics

Vest: Patagonia // Top: J. Crew Factory // Jeans: Hudson // Boots: Frye // Necklace: Etsy // Bracelets: Lily and Laura

As the weather cools down, this is my go to look for fall. It is so easy and comfortable but you still look classic and professional! I am absolutely dying for the lace up Frye boots for the fall and winter. They are absolutely gorgeous and a nice twist on the classic riding boot.

What do you consider a classic for fall?

Love,

Kate Spade Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear

These past few weeks have been extremely busy which sadly caused this small hiatus! Immediately after moving in, I began my Honor Council training, helping out with Freshman Orientation, catching up with all of my friends, and then the start of classes! This semester I am taking 5 classes which equals about 18 credit hours in addition to nannying twice a week, Honor Council, Young Life and Sorority happenings. Once things settle down and I ease into a routine I will try to post more often, but for now here are a few of my favorite looks from the Kate Spade Spring 2015 collection! 

Photos via Style.com

Let's just say Kate Spade has done it again. Everyone's favorite tote now has a scalloped edge and I am absolutely obsessed with the floral and striped shift dress. It is so classic and could be worn casually for daytime or dressed up at night! One day I hope to travel to New York for Fashiom Week. A girl can dream, right?

What awe you're favorite items from the collection?

Love,